Halleck Vineyard

TL;DR

  • Cute for pictures: 3/5

  • QPR: 3/5, average price $45-100+

  • Main varietals: Chardonnay and Pinot

  • Tasting fee: $65 per person, waived for members

  • Average wine rating on Vivino: 4.3

Discovering Halleck Vineyard was totally unexpected as it’s off the beaten path up the mountains from Sebastopol. I searched for a winery on the way to the Bodega Bay from San Francisco and Halleck happens to be located on the route. When we arrived, realized we are tasting award winning Chardonnay and Pinots at the owner’s vineyard home. Tasting involves a cheese and chocolate pairing that really enhanced the experience. Not a fancy tasting building but wines were definitely fancy and worth the drive for Chardonnay and Pinot lovers.

More about Halleck: Website, Yelp , IG

De La Montanya

TL;DR

  • Cute for pictures: 4/5

  • QPR: 5/5, average price $30-80

  • Main varietals: Variety of whites (Viognier, Gewurztraminer), Bordeaux varietals (Cab, Merlot, Malbec)

  • Tasting fee: $30 per person, waived with purchase

  • Average wine rating on Vivino: 4.1

I love finding wineries that are casual and inviting but at the same time serious about their wines. De La Montanya is a great option that allows visitors to bring their own picnic or purchase snacks during the tasting. Makes this a great stop for a group during lunch time! Tasting involves ~5 different wines and our group enjoyed them all from light rosé to heavier Cab. Tasting experience and bottles are also very well priced! Tasting fee is waived with a bottle purchase that ranges from $30-80. It was almost a no-brainer to purchase a bottle. Adorable barn and garden is also a plus!

More about De La Montanya: Website, Yelp , IG

Lynmar Estate

TL;DR

  • Cute for pictures: 4/5

  • QPR: 4/5, average price $50-100

  • Main varietals: Sparkling, Pinot, Chardonnay

  • Tasting fee: $60, waived with membership

  • Average wine rating on Vivino: 4.4

In Sebastopol, the more quiet town of Sonoma, you will find various small wineries that offer great Pinot and Chardonnay. Lynmar is one of them and welcomes you with a modern tasting room in the middle of vineyard hills and an adorable garden. Tasting is accompanied by gourmet popcorn that pairs really well with their line up of Chardonnay and Pinot. I ended up really liking their intro level Russian Valley Pinot and left with a few bottles! Our group of 6 enjoyed tasting in the garden with a vineyard view and it was definitely difficult to leave.

More about Lynmar: Website, Yelp , IG

Amista Vineyards

TL;DR

  • Cute for pictures: 4/5

  • QPR: 5/5, average price $30-60

  • Main varietals: Various of sparkling, Rhone blends, Zin, Cab

  • Tasting fee: $30 for still $40 for sparkling, waived with 2 bottles purchase or membership

  • Average wine rating on Vivino: 4.0

If you are tasting in Healdsburg (which you absolutely should!) Amista is a good option for anyone who like Rhone blends or sparkling wines! They have two different flights so it’s also good for a group. Outdoor tasting area has a view of their vineyards and is so great to spend the morning or afternoon. They serve popcorns with the tasting that goes well with their fun and easy drinking wines.

More about Amista: Website, Yelp , IG

Iron Horse Vineyards

TL;DR

  • Cute for pictures: 4/5

  • QPR: 4/5, average price $50-90

  • Main varietals: Sparkling, Chardonay, Pinot

  • Tasting fee: $30, waived with 2 bottle purchase

  • Average wine rating on Vivino: 4.1

It’s always fun to find wineries with a line up of sparkling wines in Napa or Sonoma, as the region is mostly known for Cabs, Pinot, and Chardonnay. Iron Horse was a great find in Sebastopol with options to choose between still or sparkling flight. You can taste at a casual outdoor tasting bar with an amazing view of the vineyard up on the hill or reserve a seated experience in the Gazebo. I didn’t get to try their Pinots or Chardonnay but I enjoyed all the sparkling wines on the flight. I was lucky enough to taste next to club members and got to taste one of their sparkling magnums, which was the best!!

More about Iron Horse: Website, Yelp , IG